1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

my rex wont crank??

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Old 03-18-07, 04:31 PM
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my rex wont crank??

hi everybody, long time no talk. really sorry ive been very busy. so far my rex project is goin ok, except for one thing. i put my whole engine and all its components back together and my car wont crank?? i didnt mess with any engine wiring except for unplugging stuff but i plugged everything back in. i bought a brand new battery, starter, and alternator to go with my good looking engine and it wont crank, i checked all my fuses and my fusible links, all seem to be ok. my dash lights up and the ignition switch is giving power to the wire but i dont know where else to look?i only bought the new starter cuz i though mine was bad, but now that its still happedning i might just keep mine. right now my car has no external lights or sockets as they are all unplugged. also when i turn the key to run the brake light comes on if the e-brake is down. but i think thats just to indicate i have no brake lights, the ignition seems ok, and when it is turn to run u cant hear anything like a click or nothing.also the selenoid is getting power to it from the big wire from the positive but no power from the small one. can i get some help please! thanks everyone. i will post soem pics soon!
Old 03-19-07, 05:51 AM
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Take another look at the middle fusible link...
Old 03-19-07, 08:40 AM
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yeah that one is ok, if that one doesnt work nothing would work anyways right?
Old 03-19-07, 08:48 AM
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Sounds like a problem with the start position on your key cylinder. The power for the small wire on the starter solenoid comes directly from the key cylinder, so if you have no power there, thats the first place to start. Beyond that probably check the wire for breaks or frays. Also, in case you didn't know, that small wire only has power to it when the key is in the start position. So you'll need a helper to check the wire properly.
Old 03-19-07, 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Jozay721
yeah that one is ok, if that one doesnt work nothing would work anyways right?
Lights and everything else would still work, just no running of the engine...
Old 03-19-07, 09:56 AM
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o ok, well ill check the ignition and that fuse again and ill let u guys know
Old 03-20-07, 05:12 PM
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ok so i got my old starter to cranks, but not with the key. i jumped all 3 power points on the selenoid and it turned over, so i got a bad seleniod, i got power goin to the starter now that i found out it supposed to be with the key to the start position and i got power. but my selenoid is not even clicking , and the starter motor turns. i dont have any idea y the new starter did not work, maybe it was the wrong one? o well im getting a new one anyways, thanks for the help guys.
Old 03-22-07, 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by 85rotarypower
Sounds like a problem with the start position on your key cylinder. The power for the small wire on the starter solenoid comes directly from the key cylinder, so if you have no power there, thats the first place to start. Beyond that probably check the wire for breaks or frays. Also, in case you didn't know, that small wire only has power to it when the key is in the start position. So you'll need a helper to check the wire properly.
My car won't crank over and my helper said he saw no voltage across this wire at Crank Position. Assuming this wire is bad, do you have any tips to get in and fix it?
Old 03-22-07, 09:20 PM
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is the middle fusible link ok? i would check all the fuses before replacing any wires, and make sure your testing it right, no offense, i learned the hard way.
Old 03-23-07, 08:13 PM
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Middle fusable link?

I don't understand. The fuses in the fuse box look fine, but I get the feeling like thats not what your talking about.
Old 03-23-07, 09:13 PM
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yeah but how about the middle fusible link, you know on the drivers front under the hood, on the strut???? there is a seperate fuse box with three fusible links under the hood. check it and see if its ok.
Old 03-24-07, 05:28 PM
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Are you talking about the fuses with the main/injector fuse? Those look fine, I don't know what a 'fusable link' is.

The thing that bothers me, I bought a new starter and it doesn't crank at all. The old starter would click like its broken. The new started is an NSA.

Do you think it may be something to do with the new starter? Maybe I should find a place to get the old starter rebuilt.
Old 03-24-07, 07:50 PM
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i replaced the starter and nothing happend also, it turns out a connector to the key power to the starter was just a tad loose. the easiest way i think to find a starting problem is use a test light. check for power with the key on on the selenoid. check for + power at one of the selenoid big nuts, -negative at the other, and key power at the small conecctor, the small connector should have + power when the key is turned to start. if this small connector does not have key power follow it back till u find power and then when u loose power ull find ur problem, this is wat i did and i found a harness that the small connector goes to. it was getting power but was not sending any to the starter small connector. so i pulled the harness off, cleaned it up, reconnected it and it was ok. once u have power at those three points it sould run the starter. if ur starter clicks try flipping the switch back and forth quick, or tap the starter with something metal and heavy, like a pole.
Old 03-25-07, 05:15 AM
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Originally Posted by farberio
Are you talking about the fuses with the main/injector fuse? Those look fine, I don't know what a 'fusable link' is.

The thing that bothers me, I bought a new starter and it doesn't crank at all. The old starter would click like its broken. The new started is an NSA.

Do you think it may be something to do with the new starter? Maybe I should find a place to get the old starter rebuilt.
A fusible link is a length of wire about 3" long, that plugs in at both ends. There will be three of these located on the driver's side strut tower under the hood. If you burn up the middle link, then you will have power to everything except the motor. These can be replaced with fuses, run a search if you want to do this...
Old 03-25-07, 07:18 PM
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I did that mod today
Old 03-26-07, 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Kentetsu
A fusible link is a length of wire about 3" long, that plugs in at both ends. There will be three of these located on the driver's side strut tower under the hood. If you burn up the middle link, then you will have power to everything except the motor. These can be replaced with fuses, run a search if you want to do this...
Huh...now I feel stupid.

I did not realize that this was a 1st gen forum when I searched, having an 86 puts me close to a first gen, but no cigar. I guess this explains why I didn't know what a fusable link is though.

To feel more stupid, the starter didn't work because I forget to put the ground wire back on.

That said, sorry for being stupid and thanks for all the help.
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